Z-Morh Tunnel

Why in News?

The Z-Morh tunnel is to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on January 13, 2025 that was started in 2018.

• Z-Morh tunnel – It is named after the Z-shaped stretch of road that the tunnel has replaced (Z-Morh translates to “Z-turn” in English)
• Aim – To provide all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town.
• Location - Between Gagangir and Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Construction – It is built under the Mountain glacier of Thajiwas Glacier between Gagangir and Sonamarg.
• Need - At present, the Gagangir-Sonamarg stretch of the road gets blocked by heavy snowfall and avalanches that hit the area every year.
• Features – It is a 6.5 km long 2-lane road tunnel and the main tunnel is 10.8 metres long, with a modified
  • Horseshoe shaped tunnel – 7.5 metres.
  • D-shaped ventilation tunnel – 8.3 metres.
• Advantage - It takes only 15 minutes to travel the 6.5 km long tunnel compared to hours over the zig-zag road up and down the hills.
• Significance - It is to become the 1^st strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh.
• It will also enhance military logistics and boost tourism and the economy.
• It will help the employment of local youth and boost tourism and allied activities in the area.

Z-Morh Tunnel together with the adjacent Zoji-La Tunnel, on the Srinagar-Leh Highway will provide year-round weather-proof connectivity to Baltal (Amarnath cave), Kargil and other places in the Ladakh region.

Zojila Tunnel, which is under construction will be the longest tunnel in Asia, which cut through the Himalayan range at Zojila Pass to reach the Kargil district in Ladakh.

Reference

The Hindu| Z-Morh Tunnel for Winter Tourism